The true horizon surrounds the observer and it is typically assumed to be a circle, drawn on the surface of a perfectly spherical model of the relevant celestial body, i.e., a small circle of the local osculating sphere. On Earth, when looking at a sea from a shore, the part of the sea closest to the horizon is called the offing. The resulting intersection of such obstructions with the sky is called the visible horizon. At many locations, this line is obscured by terrain, and on Earth it can also be obscured by life forms such as trees and/or human constructs such as buildings. The true horizon is a theoretical line, which can only be observed to any degree of accuracy when it lies along a relatively smooth surface such as that of Earth's oceans. This curve divides all viewing directions based on whether it intersects the relevant body's surface or not. The horizon is the apparent curve that separates the surface of a celestial body from its sky when viewed from the perspective of an observer on or near the surface of the relevant body. The curvature of the horizon is easily seen in this 2008 photograph, taken from a Space Shuttle at an altitude of 226 km (140 mi). Eye Level and Pitch: Notice the decreasing pitch of the planes that make up the tables and computers as the eye level/horizon line moves closer to the ceiling.Įye Level and Cube Pitch: All three of these images show a cube where the viewer’s eyes are either below, right at (slightly above), or above the eye level/horizon line.For other uses, see Horizon (disambiguation).The same will be true with interior or exterior environments. He can create the illusion for the viewer of looking up at an object, right at it, or below it. With a knowledge of eye level and perspective (convergent lines and pitch), an artist can control the physiological sensation of the viewer. Skyline is also where the sky and land meet, but is generally in reference to mountains which are almost always above the actual horizon line/eye level. Horizon Line: Be careful not to confuse skyline with horizon line. The eye level and horizon line then, in this drawing, also appear to be the same as the viewers.Įye Level and Horizon Line: Both horizon line and eye level lines are always perfectly horizontal, even when the land is sometimes at a slope. The subtle differences of where their eyes are, relative to the horizon line, tells us that: the boy with the guitar is slightly above the viewer’s eye level, the woman is right at the viewer’s eye level, and the man in front of the boat is slightly below the viewer’s eye level.Įye Level and Horizon Line: In the drawing above, the eyes of the each of the old masters are placed on the horizon line. Horizon Line Example: Ivan Shishkin’s Polesie Landscape (1884)Įye Level Example: This interior room has an eye level.Įye Level and Horizon Line: All three of these images show people in relation to the horizon line of the ocean. Horizon Line Example: Photograph by Edward S. Click the thumbnails to view the overlaid lines. Note: Format is the entire height and width of the drawing paper, the entire canvas, illustration board, photograph, etc, in 2-dimensional art.īelow are examples of eye levels and horizon lines. It is also a reference line, in linear perspective, that extends parallel (left or right) on the format. However, the term “horizon line” generally refers to drawings that are outdoors while “eye level” generally refers to drawings that are indoors. It is the actual height of the viewer’s eyes when looking at an object, interior scene, or an exterior scene. Horizon line/eye level refer to a physical/visual boundary where sky separates from land or water. The terms “horizon line” and “eye level” are often used synonymously. Basic Perspective: Eye Level and Horizon Line Horizon Line and Eye Level

Sky with horizon line